This all butter pie crust recipe is made with real butter for the most tender and flaky pie crust you'll ever eat!
Just follow my easy, step-by-step instructions for the perfect pie crust every time!
Listen you guys ... I promise that it's not hard to make a homemade pie crust that your friends and family will rave about.
And it's one hundred times better than anything pre-made that you can buy at the store!
Nothing says I love you like a warm slice of homemade apple pie with a golden, flaky crust and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
This pie crust is versatile too! Whether you're making a creamy peanut butter pie or savory turkey pot pie, you'll love how quick and effortless it is to make your pie crust from scratch!
Without a food processor!
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Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: The best flour to use for pie crust is unbleached, all-purpose flour because of it's high protein content. Pastry flour is too delicate and whole wheat flour can be too grainy.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter whenever you are baking so that you can control the salt levels in a recipe.
- Ice Water/Vinegar Mixture: Adding an acid to the dough creates a more tender crust. I use white vinegar for this recipe but you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or vodka.
- Salt and Sugar: Fine sea salt and granulated sugar work best.
How to make an all butter pie crust
Prepare the water & vinegar mixture. In a one cup liquid measuring cup, place one ice cube and fill with cold water until it reaches the 1/2 cup mark line.
Add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and set aside.
- Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir. Cut the cold butter into 1/4" cubes. Use a fork to gently toss and coat them in the bowl with the flour mixture. (photo 1)
- Cut the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter until the mixture forms large, coarse crumbs. (photo 2)
- Drizzle the ice water into the dry ingredients and toss with a fork until the dough is evenly moist. Use your hands to bring the ingredients together in the bottom of the bowl. (photo 3)
- Divide the dough in half and quickly form each into a disk shape. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 1 hour before rolling out. (photo 4)
Tip: Add the ice water a few tablespoons at a time. Use just enough water for the dough to come together without being crumbly.
This pie crust recipe can be used for both double crust pies and single crust pies.
What if you don't have a pastry cutter? No problem!
You can easily use a rolling pin to get the job done!
How to cut butter into flour with a rolling pin
Combine Dry Ingredients and Butter in a bowl. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar and salt. Toss the cold cubed butter in the flour mixture and then dump it all onto a clean work-surface.
- Roll butter into flour. Use a rolling pin to roll the butter into the flour mixture. (photo a)
- Cut butter into smaller pieces. Use a bench scraper to cut the butter into smaller pieces. Gather the mixture back into a tight circle and repeat 3 or 4 more times. (photo b)
- This will create thin ribbons of butter within the flour that will help to create a super flaky crust when baked. (photo c)
- Place mixture back into the bowl. Use the bench scraper to scoop the mixture up and back into the mixing bowl. Proceed with step 3 from instructions above.(photo d)
Tips for success
- Cold Ingredients. Always use cold butter and ice cold water when making pie crust. After you bring the dough together you'll see little spots of butter scattered throughout the dough. That's a good thing! These little chunks are what make the dough flaky during the baking process.
- Rolling out the Dough. Lightly flour your work surface and the rolling pin as needed to prevent sticking. Roll the dough out to a 1/8" thickness for the perfect pie crust!
- Use a pie shield to protect the edge of crust from over browning. Use it during the first 25 minutes of baking.
- You can create a DIY pie shield from a piece of aluminum foil that is about 38 inches long. Fold the foil in half lengthwise, and fold it in half lengthwise again to create a 38" x 3" strip.
- Storing the dough. Keep the dough tightly wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freeze. You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Wrap each dough disk with a few layers of plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn.
Other recipes you may like!
Did you make this Flaky Pie Crust recipe? Let me know how it turned out by ★★★★★ RATING this recipe and leave a comment below!!
All-Butter Pie Crust Recipe
Equipment
- Pastry Cutter
- Mixing bowl
- Sharp Knife
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter cold, cut into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) cold water plus one ice cube
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the water/vinegar mixture. Drop an ice-cube into a measuring cup and fill the measuring cup up with water to the 1/2 cup mark. Add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and set aside.
- Mix Flour and Butter. Combine the dry ingredients together in a medium sized bowl and toss with a fork to mix evenly. Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture forms large, coarse crumbs.
- Add Water. Pour the water mixture, a few tablespoons at a time, into the flour/butter mixture and toss with a fork until the dough is evenly moist. Add water slowly to get the right texture.
- Gather the dough. Use your hands to quickly bring the dough together in the bowl. Do not over work the dough.
- Divide and Chill. Divide the dough in half and flatten into disks. Wrap the disks separately in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Bake according to what your pie recipe calls for.
Notes
- Dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To freeze the dough, wrap it in a few layers of plastic wrap and then put the wrapped dough into a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- If using salted butter, adjust the salt from 1 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon.
- Form Pie Shell. To form the pie shell, take a disk from the refrigerator and let rest for 5 minutes at room temperature. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a 14 inch round. Wrap the dough over the rolling pin, pick it up and carefully unroll it over a 9 inch pie plate. Gently fit the pie into the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to trim a 1 inch overhang. Fold the edges under and press to seal.
- To freeze pie shell, place the pie shell into the refrigerator to chill and set for 1 hour. Wrap tightly with a few layers of plastic wrap and place in freezer until ready to bake. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Blind Bake. Place a piece of parchment paper or coffee filter into the center of the pie crust. Fill the center with pie weights or dry beans to keep the dough from puffing up while baking. Chill for 30 minutes. Bake the crust at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven and carefully lift out the paper and weights. Prick the bottom of the crust using a fork to prevent bubbles, return to the oven for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden all over.
Jacqueline says
I have never made a pie in my life till two weeks ago, everyone thought I was brave, but your recipe was very easy to follow and everyone loved how buttery it taste.
Evan says
My girlfriend managed to make this recipe so it must be easy enough to follow. The pie is currently in the oven cooking so lets hope it turns out okay, unfortunately I don't hold very high expectations.
Amy Duska says
Fingers crossed! I'd love to hear how it turns out!
Shelley says
Yes, I made it for the first time, very easy! I typically make my grandmother’s never-fail pie crust recipe using Crisco oil which is easy too. But this crust was buttery and everyone loved the flavor and flakiness! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Julie says
This looks amazing!
I need to make four meat pies and am wondering how I can properly double the recipe for four pies?
Amy Duska says
I think you should make the recipe one batch at a time so that the butter doesn't melt with too much handling. I hope that makes sense!
Helen Mulaparthi says
You are the best Amy!
Amy Duska says
Hi Helen! Thank you so much ☺️
Amy Duska says
Thanks Helen. Enjoy!!